Alcohol interlock program penalising the poor: lawyer

Hayden Johnson
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Hayden is a young and versatile member of our team. He covers council, court and police. He also fills in on sport occasionally. He enjoys telling people’s stories and loves chasing the tough ones. He is always up for a story lead or just a chat about a certain issue.

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THE alcohol interlock device which repeat drink-drivers must install is penalising people with limited funds, according to a leading lawyer.

Motorists who have a blood alcohol content of 0.15%, drive dangerously while under the influence or are convicted of two or more offences in five years are forced to install the device, which prevents the car from starting unless the driver has a zero BAC.

It costs about $2000 to be a part of the program for a period determined by Queensland Transport and Main Roads, with a maximum of two years.

Milburns Law principal John Milburn said the program was not too harsh but it had a huge financial impact.

"If people have the money, then I can understand the rationale behind the program," he said.

"If you have people who simply don't have the money, rely on their licence for their health or their children or to make a basic income, it can have a dramatic effect on them because they simply can't afford the interlock program.

"We're penalising those people who have limited funds.

"If people can't afford the device a licence disqualification of two years is imposed.

"They simply have to ride out that period of time."

A Transport and Main Roads representative said the program was designed to stop repeat offenders.

"A repeat drink-driver at any level has demonstrated through their second conviction that they have not learned from their earlier conviction to separate drinking and driving," he said.